Subhash Kamath of Ambience Publicis to join Bates as CEO

In his four month stint at Ambience Publicis, Kamath had worked on major brands such as Lakme, Parachute and Vicks

Subhash Kamath, chief operating officer of Ambience Publicis, has put in his papers. He is now set to join Bates India as chief operating officer on February 1, 2005.

For Kamath, the offer from Bates was one he could not resist. "Bates offered me something really exciting and challenging: A chance to work with a very talented team and a mandate of taking the agency among the top 10 in a short period of time."

"It has fabulous clients and brands and I'm really looking forward to driving their growth through some solid strategic and creative work. Bates Asia has some ambitious plans for India and add to that, the fact that we have Ranjan Kapur as a mentor to guide us. Frankly, it was an offer I just couldn't refuse!"

Ranjan Kapur, chairman, Bates India adds, "Subhash is an excellent choice. His unique combination of comprehensive experience, business leadership, team-building skills matched with a strategic and creative perspective is near impossible to find these days."

Kamath's appointment brings an end to the search for a CEO at Bates. The slot for the CEO was vacated by the sudden departure of Rajiv Agarwal, managing director and CEO, Bates India in October last year.

In Agarwal's place, Ujjal Gupta, chief operating officer, was coordinating the day-to-day management of the company.

Kamath who would be based in Mumbai, has over 17 years of experience in the communications industry with major stints at Ogilvy & Mather and Grey India (then Trikaya Grey).

At Ambience Publicis, Kamath worked for nearly four years. The major brands that he worked on include Lakme, Parachute and Vicks.

Kamath has served as a Member of the Publicis Group Management Board in India and has also held similar positions on the Publicis Asia-Pacific Regional Training Board and the D'arcy Asia Pacific Creative Council.

Meanwhile at Ambience Publicis, Nakul Chopra, president, Ambience Publicis, would be filling in for Kamath, till the agency finds a replacement.